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The Sounding Board by R J Lannan |
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RJ Lannan is the reviewer for The Sounding Board. |
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| When Evening Falls |
| By Tom Salvatori and Iris Litchfield w/ John Catchings |
| Label: Salvatori Productions, Inc. |
| Released 5/25/2007 |
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| When Evening Falls tracks |
1. Autumn Colours 
2. Sleepy Eyes Lullaby
3. Breath of Spring
4. Guitar Lament
5. Nature's Serenade
6. Reflecting Absence
7. Song of Hope
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8. Majestic Interlude
9. Gentle Breeze
10. Church Song
11. Carousel
12. Labyrinth 2
13. Come Stay a While
14. Quiet Reflections
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Ships that Pass |
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I read the one-sheet with this album with a grin. According to the information this is the time that piano and guitar are wedded in order to form a more perfect union. With tongue firmly in cheek I offer you Tom Salvatori and Iris Litchfield on their all-acoustic release When Evening Falls. It is a wonderful, dusky dream-filled album with fourteen tracks of pastoral and contemporary tunes that will inspire, relax and alleviate stress.
Tom Salvatori and Iris Litchfield, both classical trained composers, have united on this contemporary album in the spirit of harmony in a figurative and literal sense. Tom is from Illinois and Iris is from Kent, England, but the miles could not separate the kindred spirits of these two gifted performers. Additionally, the music is far more mellifluous for the talents of cellist John Catchings who joins them on several cuts.
The recording begins with Litchfield's Autumn Colors. It is a slow, almost drowsy tune in the sense that we can feel the swirling descent of the golden leaves of fall as the make their way to the earth below. It is a vivid reminder that we too should take time to appreciate changes as we travel through the seasons of life.
When Evening Falls is the perfect time to hear a special song and perhaps touch a curly head or kiss a soft cheek and blow out the candle. Tom and John team up on the sweet sounding Sleepy Eyes Lullaby. It is a dreamy tune full of stardust, moonlight and a timely trip to the land of Nod.
I very much liked the solo cut Guitar Lament and it became a favorite. It was not a lament with the feel of a dirge, however. It was more like the beginning of a search for something or someone lost. Many things in our lives are wrested from our hold and we regret those and we put up the good fight. But then again, the things that we let slip through our grasp are the things we miss the most.
The piano and guitar tune Nature's Serenade is made for a quiet walk along a leaf-strewn path. A gurgling stream with mossy rocks under tall, protective pines is our guide. The far away cry of a blue jay and the hum of insects sweeten the air. The only witnesses to our quiet foray are perhaps a wavering fern or a nodding day lily. One of the best tracks on the album.
Beautiful and sad, Reflecting Absence is a remarkable tune that features Catchings' mournful cello against Tom's soulful guitar. Now this is a lament. There is much interplay of singular notes that echo a sense of someone missing. The guitar occasionally takes on a brooding bass position, a stormy time that sees no calm in the future.
Labyrinth 2 had a dark beginning to it, but it warmed up after a time. The tune turns lively and we hear a medieval theme somewhere in the background. The minstrel leads us around and around inside the maze and we are delighted with the challenge. Finally, the end is in sight and we come back to the beginning. This is another great solo guitar piece by Tom.
An enchanting piano and guitar work, Come stay A While is a musical invitation to linger and perhaps love. The piano part is bright and memorable and the guitar is a warm, friendly companion. Communication is the key that has been lost so many times and yet it there in our pockets like loose change waiting to be valued. The song is a gentle reminder that we should extend a hand, praise a heart and thank a kindness wherever it is found.
When Evening Falls is pensive, relaxing music that is enjoyable at any hour. The mating of guitar and piano with an infrequent visit by the cello makes for several agreeable duos, while the solos are as welcome as are old friends. For a soothing interlude of warm, peaceful music, you cannot do much better than Tom Salvatori and Iris Litchfield.
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Rating: Very Good  |
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- reviewed by RJ Lannan on 8/16/2007 |
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